Another week, another heartbreaking Las Vegas Raiders loss. This time, it came at the hands of the rival Kansas City Chiefs. Despite leading the game 17-0 in the first half, Las Vegas would relinquish the lead en route to a 30-29 defeat. Currently, the Raiders are 1-4 with long odds of making the playoffs. Still, the offense has looked great, especially in this one.
Derek Carr and Davante Adams strike again
Through five games as a Raider, this was possibly Davante Adams’ best. And with three receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns, he was making big plays all night long. The first came on a gutsy fourth-down call from Josh McDaniels. Despite only needing one yard, the team dialed up a bomb to Adams on a post route down the field. He got his first touchdown of the game, and it’s likely the easiest one he will have all season.
For his second score, he ran another deep route to the middle of the field. This time, however, Derek Carr was the star of the show. Despite rarely electing to extend plays, he threw the ball while on a dead sprint into the pocket, on a rope, perfectly into the arms of Adams in the end zone. This was, without much competition, the best throw Carr has made in many years. Perhaps the best of his entire career.
DEREK CARR COULDN’T HAVE PUT THIS BALL IN A BETTER SPOT FOR DAVANTE ADAMS 🎯 pic.twitter.com/n0EqXXpe04
— PFF Las Vegas Raiders (@PFF_Raiders) October 11, 2022
Raiders Blog: Too many miscues for the Silver and Black
Despite the explosive plays from Carr and Adams, the Raiders once again could not do enough to win the game. Part of this falls on the shoulders of the passing offense, which made too many miscues in a close game. To make matters worse, two of these came on the last drive of the game when the Raiders were attempting to drive and win the game.
Unfortunately, both of these were plays involving two of the team’s highest-paid and best players. Firstly, Adams would drop a perfectly thrown ball from Carr on the final drive. However, some would argue he actually did catch it as the refs ruled him out of bounds. Alas, it would not count.
Subsequently, Adams and Hunter Renfrow would make a blunder that will not soon be forgotten by Raiders fans. Looking to convert on fourth down with the game on the line, McDaniels called a scissors concept for his two best receivers. However, instead of running into open space and scoring a game-winning touchdown, Adams would collide with Renfrow as the ball hit the ground.
What’s next at 1-4?
While this game was not entirely the fault of the offense, they still have questions going forward. Of course, the team may be without Adams if he is suspended for shoving a photographer after the game. Even still, the team needs more from Renfrow. After a contract extension this offseason, he has not looked like remotely the same player so far in 2022.
At tight end, the team was down to Jesper Horsted as the only tight end as both Darren Waller and Foster Moreau were injured. Again, this is another position where the Raiders just need way more from one of their best players. Prior to the injury, Waller was suffering from drops and perhaps a questionable attitude when on the field.
Overall, the 2022 Raiders are clearly not the worst team in the NFL. However, their record says otherwise. With the bye week coming up, the offense will have a chance to get healthy and move past the miscues that have been costing them games. With six winnable games on the schedule, Las Vegas will have to turn it around fast.
*Top Photo: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
